1Chorsu Bazaar + Old City
Tashkent's iconic blue-domed Soviet market (1980) — every Central Asian spice, dried fruit, fresh bread, kebabs. Open until 17:00 daily.
Photo: Theklan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Islam Karimov International Airport (TAS) · Uzbekistan
12-Hour Layover in Tashkent: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 12-hour layover in Tashkent?
Entry
Uzbekistan visa-free for most Western, EU, US, UK, Canada, Japan, Korea passports up to 30 days. ETA (e-visa) available for many other nationalities at evisa.mfa.uz.
Into town
Bus 67/77 (to centre): 40–60 min, UZS 1,400 (€0.10).
Time outside
6–8 hours exploring
Times from TAS arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Tashkent: Where to Go
The sights in Tashkent worth leaving the airport for.
1landmark
Khast Imam Complex
Religious complex with the world's oldest Quran (7th century Othman Quran), free to view. Friday Khazrat-i-Imam Mosque + Barak-Khan Madrasah.
3Tashkent Metro stations (Sovetskaya, Kosmonavtlar)
Tashkent metro is famous for Soviet-era station decoration (now allowed to photograph since 2018). Sovetskaya + Kosmonavtlar stations are the most ornate. UZS 1,400 per ride.
Photo: Sunrise08_181, PDM-owner, via Wikimedia Commons.
food
Plov at Central Asian Plov Center
Visit the Central Asian Plov Center (Besh Qozon) where thousands of plates are cooked in giant qozon cauldrons daily. UZS 30,000-50,000 per plate. The plov experience.
Itinerary ideas for Tashkent
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
12 hours
You are here12 hours in Tashkent
6–8 hours exploring
Insider tip
TAS is 12km from centre — Yandex Go is the cheapest tourist option (UZS 35,000-60,000 / €2.50-4.50). Cash is preferred at smaller venues. ATMs at airport. The Soviet-era metro is fast, cheap (UZS 1,400 flat fare) and one of Central Asia's prettiest.
Into Tashkent
Getting to Tashkent City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bus 67/77 (to centre) | UZS 1,400 (€0.10) | 40–60 min |
| Yandex Go ride-share | UZS 35,000–60,000 (€2.50–4.50) | 25–40 min |
| Taxi (official airport) | UZS 80,000–150,000 (€6–11) | 25–40 min |
Eat like a local
Eat Like a Local in Tashkent
Plov (Uzbek rice + lamb) at the Plov Center (Besh Qozon). Manti (steamed dumplings) at Caravan Restaurant. Samsa (baked meat pastry) at any street kiosk.
12 hours in Tashkent
12-Hour Itinerary
1
0–60 min
Clear passport control and head into Tashkent
Take Bus 67/77 (to centre) (40–60 min, UZS 1,400 (€0.10)).
2
1–4 hrs
Chorsu Bazaar + Old City
Tashkent's iconic blue-domed Soviet market (1980) — every Central Asian spice, dried fruit, fresh bread, kebabs. Open until 17:00 daily.
3
4–6 hrs
Khast Imam Complex
Religious complex with the world's oldest Quran (7th century Othman Quran), free to view. Friday Khazrat-i-Imam Mosque + Barak-Khan Madrasah.
4
6–8 hrs
Eat like a local
Plov (Uzbek rice + lamb) at the Plov Center (Besh Qozon). Manti (steamed dumplings) at Caravan Restaurant. Samsa (baked meat pastry) at any street kiosk.
5
8–10 hrs
Tashkent Metro stations (Sovetskaya, Kosmonavtlar)
Tashkent metro is famous for Soviet-era station decoration (now allowed to photograph since 2018). Sovetskaya + Kosmonavtlar stations are the most ornate. UZS 1,400 per ride.
6
10–12 hrs
Back to Islam Karimov International Airport
Head back to Islam Karimov International Airport by Bus 67/77 (to centre) (40–60 min, UZS 1,400 (€0.10)). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 12-hour layover in Tashkent?
Uzbekistan visa-free for most Western, EU, US, UK, Canada, Japan, Korea passports up to 30 days. ETA (e-visa) available for many other nationalities at evisa.mfa.uz. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 12 hours enough to leave Islam Karimov International Airport?
6–8 hours exploring. Getting into Tashkent by Bus 67/77 (to centre) takes 40–60 min each way.
How do I get from Islam Karimov International Airport to Tashkent centre?
Bus 67/77 (to centre): 40–60 min, UZS 1,400 (€0.10). Yandex Go ride-share: 25–40 min, UZS 35,000–60,000 (€2.50–4.50). Taxi (official airport): 25–40 min, UZS 80,000–150,000 (€6–11).
Getting out of Islam Karimov International Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Things to do in Tashkent
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Tashkent and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse TashkentJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in Tashkent? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Tashkent.Trains & buses from Tashkent
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Tashkent Airport
With 12 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Tashkent
Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com
Search hotels
Also useful for your Tashkent trip
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
Airlines that fly to Tashkent
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from TAS.
Flights to Tashkent from 70 cities: fares and airlines →
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Airport lounges at Tashkent Airport
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
Tashkent travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Tashkent works
01
Check you can leave
Uzbekistan visa-free for most Western, EU, US, UK, Canada, Japan, Korea passports up to 30 days. ETA (e-visa) available for many other nationalities at evisa.mfa.uz.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to Islam Karimov International Airport by Bus 67/77 (to centre) (40–60 min, UZS 1,400 (€0.10)). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Ready for Tashkent?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.
Daylight on the ground
Daylight in Tashkent runs from about 9 hours in Dec to 15 in Jun. Enough of a difference that a winter stopover gives you noticeably less usable time outside than a summer one.